Amalgamator.



No. 813,780. PATENTED FEB. 27, 1906. D. DRAPER'& G. A. HAY.

I AMALGAMATOR. APPLIOATION FILED Mums, 1905.

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iiNITED STATES PATENT oFFIon.

DAVID DRAPER AND GEORGE ALEXANDER HAY, OF JOHANNESBURG, TRANSVAAL.

AMALGAIVIATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 27, 1906.

Application filed March 15, 1905. Serial No. 250,268.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, DAVID DRAPER and GEORGE ALEXANDER HAY, subjects ofthe King of Great Britain, residing at J ohannesburg, Transvaal, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Amalgamators, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention has reference to an amalgamating machine or apparatus forcatching and retaining gold in the process of extract ing it from itsore. The machine may be simultaneously employed as a concentrator or forseparating the concentrates or heavier p articles of the pulverized ore.

The object with which the invention is designed is to produce a machinein which the amalgamation can be carried on continuously or practicallycontinuously. The millpulp (the particles of pulverized ore mixed withwater) or other material'carrying or containing the gold may be causedto flow continuously into the apparatus directsay from the mortar-box ofa stamp-mill.

By means of our invention we obviate the necessityfor putting thebattery out of operation while the cleaning of the amalgamated plates iseffected, and we provide for automatic cleaning and scraping of theamalgamated surface, and we obtain greater security against theft of thegold or amalgam.

The invention will now be described by aid of the accompanying drawings,wherein Figure 1 represents an elevation of the ap- Fig. 2 represents itin end elevation. Fig. 3 represents the general arrangement showing theapparatus in sectional elevation, and Figs. 4 and 5 are two viewsillustrating the means for removing the amalgam.

The machine consists of a drum or cylinder 1, closed at the ends andmade of suitable metal to receive a coating of mercury to pro vide theamalgamated surface. This drum 1 is shown keyed to ahorizontally-disposed driving-shaft 2. The drum 1 is inclosed by acasing 3, closed at the ends by means of the plates 4 5, which may bebolted or otherwise fixed through the holes 6 to external flanges 7,formed on the ends of the casing 3.

The horizontal shaft 2, on which is fixed the drum 1, is journaled inthe end plates or covers 4 5 of the casing 3, the latter beingconstructed with bosses 8 9 to provide a sufficient bearing-surface forsaid shaft 2.

On one extremity of the driving-shaft 2, outside the casing 3, is fixeda driving-pulley 10, by means of which rotary motion may be imparted tothe drum 1 through the medium of a belt. Any other suitable means forimparting rotatory motion to the drum 1 maybe employed.

The casing 3 is preferably constructed in two parts, an upper portion 3of approximatelysemicylindrical shape, which is formed with longitudinalribs or projections 11 for bolting or otherwise fixing it to coincidentflanges or projections 12, formed on the lower portion 3 A longitudinalslot 13 is formed in the top of the upper portion 3' of the casing 3,which forms the inlet for the pulp or material containing the gold.

In Fig. 3 of the drawings the machine is shown arranged for use inconnection with an ordinary gravity stamp-mill in which 14 representsthe foundation of the mill; 15, the mortar-box bolted thereon; 16, thedie; 17, the shoe; 18, the head of the stamp, and 19 the screeningthrough which the particles of pulverized ore are washed or carried bythe water. 20 represents an inclined plate or tray which serves forconducting the pulp after it has passed through the screening 19 intothe inlet 13 of the amalgamating-machine. The upper edge of the slot 13is preferably turned outward and upward, as shown in Fig. 3, so as todivert into the machine the pulp flowing down the inclined plate 20. Theinclined plate 20 is preferably arranged to project for some distanceover the top of the drum 1. The arrow in Fig. 3 indicates the directionof rotation of the. drum 1, from which it will be noticed that the flowof the incoming stream as it leaves the edge of the plate 20 is oppositeto the direction of rotation of the drum 1. In Fig. 3 the dotted line 21represents abelt for imparting motion to the drum 1 through the pulley10.

In the upper portion 3 of the casing 3 and at the front of the machineis formed a longitudinal slot 22, in which is secured a piece or sheetof glass through which the amalgamated surface of the drum 1 may beinspected.

The machine is carried at a suitable height by means of the standards orsupports 23. The lower portion 3 of the casing 3 is shown constructedwith projections 24, which rest IOf on the top of the standards 23 tosupport the machine.

, The lower portion of the casing 3 is constructed to form twolongitudinal and in clined recesses 25 26. It is also shown constructedwith a shallower recess 27, in which is located part of the device whichserves for removing the amalgam from the surface of the drum 1. Thisdevice consists of a screw 28, arranged parallel with the periphery ofthe drum 1 and journaled in. bearings 29, provided therefor in the ends4 5 of the casing 3. On this screw 28 is mounted a scraper com prisingan internally-screwed sleeve or nut 30, formed with two arms orprojections 31 32. To one of these arms 31 is detachably fixed the blade33, which is adapted to be brought into engagement with the periphery ofthe drum 1 or amalgamated surface to scrape off or remove the amalgamwhen desired. Arranged parallel with the screw 28 and supported in theends 4 5 of the casing 3 is a bar 34, which is constructed with alongitudinal groove or recess 35, into which groove or recess 35projects the other arm 32 of the nut 30. The bar 34 is constructed atthe ends with pivots 36 (see Fig. 4) about which it can be moved. On anextension of the pivot 36 at one end of the machine is fixed a lever 37,fitted with an adjustable weight 38. This weighted lever 37 serves formaintaining the scraper 33 either in or out of contact with theamalgamated surface of the drum 1. In Figs. 1 and 2 these parts areshown in the positions they assume to maintain the scraper 33 in contactwith the surface of the drum 1. By throwing said weighted lever 37 overit will be readily understood that'the bar 34 by engaging the arm 32 ofthe nut 30 throws and maintains the blade or scraper 33 out of contactwith the drum 1. A lock-nut 39 may be screwed on the pivot 36 for fixingthe bar 34 and for holding it in the position it is caused to assume tothrow the scraper 33 out of action. It will be obvious that the weightedlever 37 will itself have a tendency to accomplish this; but, ifdesired, the locknut 39 may be used as an additional security and toprevent the scraper 33 being unintentionally thrown into contact withthe drum 1.

To rotate the screw 28 to traverse the scraper 33 longitudinally of thedrum 1, it is constructed with extensions 40, which project beyond thebearings 29, and on each of these extensions 40 are fixed fast and loosepulleys 41 42, respectively. Motion is transmitted to the screw 28 fromthe main shaft 2, on each end of which are fixed fast and loose pulleys43 44, respectively, in line with the fast and loose pulleys 41 42 onthe extensions 40 of the screw 28. Belts 45 46, arranged round thepulleys, serve for transmitting motion from the pulleys on thedriving-shaft 2 to the pulleys on the screw 28. One of these belts iscrossed, so as to obtain reversal of the direction of rotation of saidscrew 28. When motion is transmitted through one of the belts 45 46, theother is meanwhile running on the loose pulleys. When the scraper 33 hasreached the limit of its travel in one direction, the belt which hasbeen running on the loose pulleys is then thrown onto the fast pulleysand the belt at the other end thrown onto the loose pulleys, the returntravel of the scraper being thereby effected. The belt 45 is showndriving the screw 28 through the fast pulleys 41 43, and the crossedbelt 46 is shown running on the loose pulleys 42 44. When the scraper 33is out of use, both belts 45 46 are running on the loose pulleys 42 44.The scraper 33 is located in such a position inside the casing 3 thatthe amalgam removed from the surface of the drum 1 falls into the recessor sump 25, from which it may be removed when desired. As shown in Fig.2, the portion 4 of the end plate 4 inclosing said recess 25 may be madeas a separate part to allow for the removal of the amalgam withoutnecessitating the removal of the whole of the end plate 4. The portion 4of the plate 4 forming the door or cover for the delivery end of theamalgam-su1np 25 may be locked in any desired manner to preventunauthorized persons gaining access to the amalgam.

In the lower end of the casing and at a suitable height above thedelivery end of the amalgam-sump 25 is fixed. a discharge or waste pipe47, which serves for carrying away the pulp or material from theinterior of the casing 3.

In the upper portion of the casing 3 is arranged a brush 48, providedfor cleaning the amalgamated surface of the drum 1. This brush 48 may bemade of any suitable material and be carried by a shaft or spindle 49,which is journaled in bearings formed in bosses 50 in the ends 4 5 ofthe casing 3. This brush 48 extends the full length of the drum 1. Onone extremity of the spindle 49, outside the casing 3, is fixed a pulley5.1, and on the main driving-shaft2 in line with said pulley 51 isanother pulley 52, from which the brush 48 is driven by means of thebelt 53 This brush 48, as is-indicated in Fig. 3, is preferably arrangedin such a position that it can be seen through the glass plate 22.Constructed as shown, this brush 48 will be continuously rotated; but itwill be evident that means may be provided for obtaining intermittentrotation only or for throwing it out of action if and when required.

Inside the casing3, and preferably at or in proximity to the bottom ofthe drum 1, is arranged a water-spray pipe 54, by means of which theconcentrates or heavier particles of the pulverized ore adhering to theamalgamated surface of the drum 1 are washed off. This spray-pipe 54 isso located in relation to the recess or trough 26 that the concentratesor particles thereby washed off fall into said the latter. The gold isthereby caught andretained on the amalgamated surface, and the pulp thenpasses out through the discharge or outlet pipe 17 The concentrates orheavier particles which are also retained on the amalgamated surface ofthe drum 1 are washed off when the drum 1 passes above the water-spraypipe 54, and they fall into the concentrate-sum 26, from which theymaybe drawn. Then the brush 18 for cleaning the amalgamated surface ismade to operate intermittently, it is brought into action,when required,without stopping the machine. This can be determined by inspecting theamalgamated surface through the glass plate 22.

Whenit is desired to scrape the amalgam off the surface of the drum 1,the scraper 33 is brought into contact with the amalgamated surface andmotion imparted to the screw 28 to cause the scraper 33 to traverse fromend to end of the amalgamated surface. If requisite, the scraper 33 isthen caused to travel across the amalgamated surface in the oppositedirection or to the other end of the drum 1 to complete the removal ofthe amalgam. The amalgam so removed from the surface of the drum 1 fallsinto the amalgam-sump 25, from which it may be removed when desired. Themercury removed from the surface of the drum 1 may be replenished byrunning it down the inclined plate 20 or otherwise, as may be preferred.

What we claim as our invention, and desire to protect by Letters Patent,is-

1. An amalgamatingmachine comprising a revoluble drum the periphery ofwhich is made the amalgamated surface, a casing surrounding said drum,means for rotating the drum, means for introducing the pulp orgoldbearing material into the casing and delivering it onto theamalgamated surface of the drum, a scraper located in the casing andadapted to be brought into contact with the amalgamated surface toremove the amalgam, and means for traversing said scraper longitudinallyof the drum.

2. An amalgamating-machine comprising a drum, the periphery of which ismade the amalgamated surface, a casing completely inclosing said drum,means for rotating the drum, means for conducting the pulp into thecasing and delivering it onto the amalgamated surface in a directionopposite to that of rotation of the drum, a scraper arranged in thecasing and adapted to be brought into contact with the am( lgamatedsurface to remove the amalgam, and means for traversing said scraperlongitudinally of the drum.

3. An amalgamating-machine comprising a drum the periphery of whichforms or is made the amalgamated surface, a casing inclosing said drumsaid casing being formed with a longitudinal slot forming an inlet andwith a recess or sump to receive the amalgam when it is removed from thesurface of the drum, an inclined plate or tray for conducting the pulpinto the casing and delivering it onto the surface of the drum in adirection opposite to that of rotation of said drum, a scraper locatedin the casing above the reces's formed in the latter, said scraper beingadapted to be brought into contact with the amalgamated surface toremove the amalgam, and means for traversing said scraper longitudinallyof the drum in either direction.

4;. An amalgamating-machine comprising a drum the periphery of which ismade the amalgamated surface, a casing completely inclosing said drum,said casing being constructed with a longitudinal inlet or slot abovethe drum, and with a recess or sump in the bottom to receive theconcentrates removed from the surface of the drum, and with another sumpor recess to receive the amalgam when it is removed from the surface ofthe drum, a revoluble brush arranged longitudinally of the casing forcleaning the amalgamated surface of the drum, means for rotating saidbrush, a scraper journaled longitudinally of the drum and adapted to bebrought into contact with the amalgamated surface, means for traversingsaid scraper longitudinally of the drum in either direction, and awater-spray pipe located beneath the drum for washing the concentratesoff the amalgamated surface of the drum.

5. An amalgamating-machine comprising a drum, the periphery of which ismade the amalgamated surface, a casing inclosing the drum said casingbeing constructed with a longitudinal slot forming an inlet above thedrum, and with a longitudinal slot through which the amalgamated surfaceof the drum may be inspected. and with a recess or sump in the bottom ofthe casing adapted to receive the amalgam when it is removed from thesurface of the drum and with a recess or sump adapted to receive theconcentrates, means for removing the amalgam from the surface of thedrum said means being adapted to be traversed longitudinally of thedrum, means for removing the concentrates from the surface of the drum,means for conducting the material carrying the gold through the inlet inthe casing and delivering it in a direction opposite to that of rotationof the drum, and an outlet in proximity to the bottom of the casing forcarrying away the waste from said casing.

6. An amalgamating-machine comprising a drum the periphery of which ismade the amalgamated surface, a casing surrounding said drum said casingbeing constructed with a longitudinal slot forming the inlet for thematerial containing the gold and with a longitudinal slot through whichthe amalga-' for traversing said scraper longitudinally of the drum ineither direction, means for removing the concentrates from the surfaceof the drum and means for conducting the waste from the casing.

7. In an amalgamatirig-machine, in com bination, a drum the periphery ofwhich is made the amalgamated surface, a casing inclosing said drum saidcasing being constructed with an inlet and with an inclined sump orrecess, means for rotating said drum inside said casing, means forconducting the gold-bearing material into the casing in a directionopposite to that of rotation of the drum, a screw journaled in the endsof the casing and arranged parallel with the axis of the drum, a nutmounted on said screw, a scraper carried by said nut adapted to bebrought into contact with the amalgamated surface to remove the amalgam,and means for reversing the direction. of rotation of said screw totraverse the scraper longitudinally of the drum in either direction.

8. In an amalgamating-machine the combination of a drum, means forrotating said drum, a casing inclosing said drum, said casing beingconstructed with a longitudinal slot forming an inlet above the drum,and with an inclined recess or sump below the drum, an inclined plate ortray projected through the slot for conducting the gold-containingmaterial into the casing and delivering it in a direction opposite tothat of rotation of the drum, a screw ournaled in the ends of the casingand arranged parallel with the axis of the drum, means for impartingrotary motion to said screw in either direction, a nut mounted on saidscrew, a scraper carried by said nut adapted to be brought into contactwith the amalgamated surface, an arm or projection on said nut, a bararranged parallel with the screw formed with a slot into which said armprojects, and means for operating said bar to throw the scraper into orout of contact with said amalgamated surface, substantially as described9. In an amalgamating-machine the combination of a drum fixed to adrivingshaft, a casing surrounding said drum the ends of which casingprovide bearings for the driv= ing-shaft of the drum said casing beingconstructed with a slot arallel with the axis of the drum and with aongitudinal slot for permitting inspection of the amalgamated surfaceand with two inclined sumps or recesses in the bottom, an inclined plateor tray for conducting the gold-bearing material through the inlet anddelivering it onto the drum in a direction opposite to that of rotationof the latter, a brush arranged parallel with the amalgamated surfacefor cleaning said surface, means for driving said brush from the maindriving-shaft, a screw j ournaled in the ends of the casing and arrangedparallel with the axis of the drum, a nut on said screw formed with twoarms or projections, a scraper fitted to one of said arms or projectionsadapted to be brought into contact with the amalgamated surface of thedrum, a bar pivoted in the ends of the casing and arrangedparallel withthe screw and formed with a longitudinal groove into which the other armof the nut projects, means attached to said bar outside the casing forthrowing the scraper into or out of contact with the amalgamated surfaceand retaining it in those positions, a pipe communicating with thecasingat the bottom for carrying away the waste, and a water-spray pipefor washing the concentrates off the amalgamated surface into theconcentrate-sump, substantiallyas described.

10. An amalgamating-machine comprising in combination, a drum theperiphery of which is made the amalgamated surface, a shaft to whichsaid drum is fixed, a pulley on said driving-shaft for imparting rotarymotion to the drum, a casing constructed in two parts longitudinally andformed with longitudinal ribs or flanges through which they areconnected, said casing being formed with a longitudinal slot forming aninlet and with a longitudinal slot closed by means of glass forpermitting inspection of the amalgamated surface and with two inclinedrecesses or sumps at the bottom, the ends of said casing formingbearings for the driving-shaft of the drum, standards for carrying saidcasing, an inclined plate for conducting the goldbearing materialthrough the inlet in the easing and delivering it onto the drum in adirection opposite to that of rotation of the latter, a brush journaledin the ends of the easing in contact with the amalgamated surface forcleaning the latter, a pulley fixed on the spindle of the brush outsidethe casing, a pulley on the main shaft and a belt for transmittingmotion through said pulleys from the main shaft to the brush, a screwjournaled in the ends of the casing parallel with'the axis of the drum,fast and loose pulleys on each end of said screw outside the casing, anut mounted on the screw formed with two arms or projections, a scraperfixed to one of said arms adapted to be brought into contact with theamalgamated surface of the drum, a barpivoted in the ends of the casingformed with a longitudinal roove or recess into which the other arm ofthe nut projects, a lever and weight on the end of said bar outside thecasing for rotating said bar in either direction to move the scraperinto or out of contact with the amalgamated surface of the drum, fastand loose pulleys on the main driving-shaft at either end of the casingin line with the fast and loose pulleys on the end of the screw, astraight belt and a crossed belt on said pulleys adapted to rotate saidscrew in either direction from the main driving-shaft or to allow saidscrew to remain stationary, a Water-spray pipe located below the drumfor Washing the concentrates into the concentrate sump, and a pipe forcarrying away the waste from the casing, substantially as' described.

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

DAVID DRAPER. GEORGE ALEXANDER HA Witnesses:

CHAS. OVENDALE, R. OVENDALE.

